Kyebi (E/R), Aug. 1, GNA - The Okyeman Council, presided over by its President, Okyehene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, on Monday, performed customary rites at the Ofori Panin Fie, Kyebi, to signify the final destoolment of the chief of Apedwa, Barima Addo Gyekye, II over charges including alleged disrespect for Okyehene, sale of public lands and misappropriation of state funds.

The rites involved the slaughtering of a ram at the forecourt of the Ofori Panin Fie, after the Abontendomhene of Kyebi, Osabarima Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah had recounted some of the charges and poured libation in the presence of the members of the Asona Royal Family of Apedwa led by the queen, Obaapanin Asantewa Aboagyewa and AbusuapaninYaw Asare.

According to him, Okyeman could no more co-habit with a chief who, on several occasions, refused to respond to invitations to decide on vital issues affecting the Oman, saying the Amantuomiensa of Okyeman on Friday, July 28, 2006, met to finally decide on the destoolment after considering the serious breach of the oath taken by Barima Addo Gyekye on his enstoolment.

Earlier, the Okyehene said after several efforts to resolve the differences with the destoolled chief, who had reigned for over 20 years, it had become necessary for such a "hard decision" to be taken to save the honour of Okyeman and the interest of the people of Apedwa. He advised the queen, elders and people of Apedwa against doing anything to breach the peace of the town but help the new chief, Barima Obenakwa Kwarifa II, to mobilize the resources of the people to advance the development of the town to befit its status in Okyeman.

Narrating the events leading to the destoolment of Barima Addo Gyekye, Abusuapanin Yaw Asare, told the press that in May 2001, the former chief informed the Asona Royal Family that in view of his old age, he should be allowed to select one of his two nephews to replace him on the stool, which was turned down.

He said Barima Addo Gyekye invited the Begorohene, Osabarima Awuah Kotoko, who is also the head of the Benkum Division of Okyeman under which Apedwa falls, to persuade the royal family to grant his request but after series of meetings it was agreed that the royal family should rather select a person of their choice to succeed Barima Gyekye. According to Abusuapanin Asare, following disturbances over the issue, the royal family preferred charges against Barima Gyekye before the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council but during the adjudication, he allegedly showed gross disrespect towards Okyehene resulting in an order to destool him and barred him from entering the Ofori Panin Fie as from November 3, 2002.

He said soon after this, Barima Gyekye filed a suit against the Okyehene at a Koforidua High Court but the case was later referred to the Traditional Council since it lacked jurisdiction in chieftaincy cases.

Abusuapanin Asare said fresh destoolment charges, including the suit against Okyehene, were preferred against Barima Gyekye before the Traditional Council's Judicial Committee, which upheld them and led to the performance of destoolment rites at Apedwa in April 2005, leading to the installation of his successor, Barima Obenakwa Kwarifa II soon after.

He said later, a High Court's judgment upholding the request of Barima Gyekye to be allowed to stay in the palace which led the Oman to petition to the High Court rather resulted in the remand of the ten signatories for a week and a six-week imprisonment of the queen of Apedwa and he, Abusuapanin Asare, on a contempt of court order. Among the chiefs who witnessed the destoolment of Barima Gyekye included the queen of Okyeman, Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua and the Asamankesehene, Osabarima Kofi Amoah.

Meanwhile, another ram was slaughtered at the Apedwa palace before the Amankrado Kwadwo Asare, to confirm the destoolment of Barima Gyekye. GA 1 Aug. 2006